With 74 days until kickoff, a look at South Carolina football's number 74 Josiah Thompson

There are just 74 days until South Carolina football fans get their first official look at the 2024 version of the Gamecocks. Williams-Brice Stadium will come alive on August 31st as the Old Dominion Monarchs come to Columbia for the first-ever meeting between the two teams (a 4:15 PM ET kickoff that will be broadcast on the SEC Network and streamed on the ESPN app).

Depending on which recruiting outlet one checks, the highest-rated recruit on the roster might be #74 Josiah Thompson. Thompson was considered a 5-star prospect by On3 and pushed through into 5-star territory in 247Sports' rankings, as well, before dipping back down to a 4-star grade. A native of the Palmetto State, Thompson is the highest-rated offensive lineman ever to sign with the Gamecocks in the modern recruiting era.

The hype behind the left tackle of the future is high. Potentially the best athlete ever to be an offensive lineman in the South Carolina football program, Thompson has the chance to become an elite college football player.

However, Thompson needs some physical development. Weighing below 270 pounds at the All-American Bowl during the winter, Thompson needs to be around 300 pounds to be ready for the rigors of SEC football. He already has put on some mass, but there is more work to be done.

Despite needing further development, Thompson might just be too good to keep off the field. He already has really good pass blocking traits that could become great with more coaching and practice. He also is an aggressive and confident player with a high motor that matches his athleticism.

Tree Babalade is the incumbent at left tackle, but Thompson will push him. There also has been some talk about Babalde, a former 4-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, potentially moving inside to guard if Thompson needs to be the starting tackle.

Whether it is this year or at some point in the future, Josiah Thompson will be the starting left tackle in Columbia, and if things go well for him, he will put his name into the conversation as one of the greatest offensive linemen in the history of the South Carolina football program.